Note: Feel free to play around with the type of nuts and spices in this mixture—sesame seeds, almonds, onion powder, chili powder, coriander and spice mixes such as garam masala all work well in flavoring the mixture.

To start, preheat the oven to 350°F (176°C). Alternatively, this mixture can be dehydrated in a dehydrator for 4 to 5 hours.

Using a food processor, pulse the garlic a few times, if using fresh. Then add the nuts and spices, and pulse again. Then add the mushrooms and tamari and pulse until there are no longer any big pieces of mushrooms left. Depending on your food processor, you may need to do this in 2 batches, as you don’t want the mixture to be too fine. However, don’t be too worried about it, because even if over mixed a bit, this mixture will still turn out well.

Next, place the mixture onto a parchment-lined baking sheet and bake for 15 to 20 minutes. Then remove from the oven and fold and turn the mixture over. Place back into the oven and bake for another 15 to 20 minutes or until cooked and dark brown in color.

If dehydrating, place onto a dehydrator sheet, press the mixture flat and dehydrate at 118°F (47°C) for 4 to 5 hours. The mixture will darken and dry out quite a bit.

Once done, remove from the oven and use it as a filling for dishes such as burritos, tacos, or vegetarian cabbage rolls. This mixture is also good sprinkled on salads or rice. It is even good in lasagna. Really, anywhere you might want to add ground beef, try using this delicious plant-based mixture instead.